Remy, Virgin and Raw Hair Explained: What You Are Really Paying For

Remy, non Remy, virgin, raw, double drawn, single drawn, Russian, European, Indian. If you have shopped for human hair extensions, you have seen these words on almost every listing, often with very different prices. But what do they actually mean, and which ones are worth paying for?

This guide explains each term in plain language, shows how they affect the look and lifespan of your extensions, and gives you a simple checklist to judge quality yourself.

Why Hair Quality Matters

Two sets of human hair extensions can look almost identical in a photo and behave completely differently after a month. One stays smooth, soft and easy to style; the other tangles, sheds and turns dry at the ends. The difference comes down to three things:

• How the hair was collected, which decides whether the cuticles are aligned.
• How it was processed, which decides how strong and healthy it still is.
• How it was sorted, which decides how thick the ends are.

What Is the Hair Cuticle?

Every strand of hair is covered in tiny overlapping scales called cuticles, a little like the tiles on a roof. On hair growing on your head, all the cuticles point the same way, from root to tip. That is what makes healthy hair smooth and shiny, and it is why it slides past other strands without catching.

If hair strands are mixed so that some point up and some point down, their cuticles catch on each other. That is the main cause of tangling and matting in poor quality extensions.

Remy Hair

Remy hair is collected so that every strand keeps the same direction, root to root and tip to tip. Because all the cuticles are aligned, Remy hair:

• Stays smooth and shiny for longer
• Tangles much less, even after many washes
• Behaves more like your own hair when styled
• Usually lasts much longer with regular wear

Remy hair can still be coloured and processed, so the word Remy tells you about direction, not about whether the hair is unprocessed.

Non Remy Hair

Non Remy hair is collected without keeping the strands in the same direction. To stop it from tangling immediately, the cuticles are often stripped with acid and the hair is coated in silicone. It feels very silky when new, but once the coating washes off after a few washes, the hair can become dull and tangly. Non Remy hair is cheaper and can be fine for occasional use, but it rarely lasts.

Virgin Hair

Virgin hair has never been chemically processed: no colour, no bleach, no perm and no chemical straightening. It keeps its natural strength and texture. Virgin hair is usually also Remy. Because it has not been coloured, it comes in natural shades, mostly dark browns and blacks.

Raw Hair

Raw hair goes one step further. It is not only unprocessed, but also minimally handled: no steam texturising, no colour and often a single donor or a small number of donors for each bundle. Raw hair is prized for its natural texture and strength and tends to last the longest of all. It takes colour predictably when you work with a professional, and it is usually the most expensive option.

Single Drawn vs Double Drawn

These terms describe how the hair is sorted by length:

• Single drawn hair has the shortest strands removed once. The ends are thinner than the top, which looks natural but less full.
• Double drawn hair is sorted twice so most strands are close to the full length. The ends are thick and full, giving a more glamorous look, and the hair costs more because more is removed during sorting.

If you want thick, full ends, look for double drawn hair. If you prefer a softer, natural taper, single drawn is perfect.

Russian, European, Indian and Brazilian Hair

These names describe where hair is said to come from or the texture it is processed to resemble. They are often used for marketing, so treat them as a description of texture rather than a guarantee of quality:

• Russian, Slavic and European hair is usually described as fine, smooth and naturally lighter, and is popular for blonde shades.
• Indian hair is often slightly thicker with a natural wave and blends well with many textures.
• Brazilian and Peruvian hair are terms often used for thicker, bouncier textures.

What matters most is still whether the hair is Remy, how it was processed and how full the ends are.

How to Check Hair Quality Yourself

1. Run your fingers upwards. Remy hair feels smooth in both directions. Non Remy hair feels rough or catches when you slide up.
2. Look at the ends. Good hair stays reasonably full to the tips. Very thin, wispy ends mean lower quality or single drawn hair.
3. Check the shine. Healthy hair has a soft, natural sheen. A glassy, plastic like shine often means a heavy silicone coating.
4. Gently tug the weft. A few loose hairs are normal at first, but constant shedding means a weak weft.
5. Read the product details. A good seller tells you the hair type, the weight and the length clearly.

Hair Quality Glossary

Keep this quick reference handy when you read product descriptions.

• Remy: all strands keep the same direction, so cuticles are aligned.
• Non Remy: mixed direction strands, usually stripped and coated with silicone.
• Virgin: never chemically processed or coloured.
• Raw: unprocessed and minimally handled, often from a single donor.
• Single drawn: sorted once, with a natural taper toward the ends.
• Double drawn: sorted twice, with thick, full ends.
• Cuticle intact: the outer layer of the hair is still present, which helps shine and strength.
• Steam processed or texturised: hair set into a wave or curl with steam rather than chemicals.
• Weft: a strip where hair is sewn or bonded together, used in clip-ins and halos.
• Grams: the weight of hair in a set, which tells you how full it will look.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

A trustworthy seller should be happy to answer these:

1. Is the hair Remy, and is it virgin or processed?
2. How many grams are in the set, and how many pieces?
3. Is it single drawn or double drawn?
4. What length is it measured at: straight, or with the wave or curl?
5. Can it be heat styled, and up to what temperature?
6. What is the return policy if the shade does not match?

At Nisa, each product page lists the hair type, weight and length, and our team will happily answer anything else on WhatsApp before you order.

Why Weight Matters as Much as Hair Type

Even the best quality hair will look thin if there is not enough of it. A set of around 100 to 120 grams suits fine hair or a natural volume boost, 140 to 160 grams suits medium hair, and thick hair or very long lengths often need 180 grams or more. When you compare prices, always compare the weight as well as the hair type, because a lighter set of premium hair and a heavier set of standard hair are very different products.

Which Hair Type Should You Choose?

• For everyday wear: Remy human hair gives the best balance of quality, lifespan and price.
• For the longest life and natural texture: raw or virgin hair.
• For colour or blonde shades: processed Remy hair, as it already comes in the shade you want.
• For occasional events or trying a look: heat resistant synthetic hair is a smart budget option. Compare in human hair vs synthetic hair extensions.

Is Expensive Hair Always Better?

Not always, but price usually reflects how the hair was collected, sorted and processed. Very cheap human hair is almost never Remy. A useful way to judge value is cost per wear: hair that lasts many months of regular use often works out cheaper than replacing low quality sets again and again. See our hair extensions price guide and how long hair extensions last for more.

Caring for Premium Human Hair

Quality hair deserves quality care. Use sulphate free shampoo, condition the lengths well, protect from heat and avoid bleach. Our hair extension aftercare guide covers every step, and our guide to dyeing hair extensions explains what is safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is all Remy hair virgin hair?

No. Remy describes cuticle direction. Remy hair can be coloured or processed, while virgin hair has never been chemically processed.

Is raw hair better than Remy hair?

Raw hair is usually Remy and also unprocessed, so it tends to last longer. Coloured Remy hair is still excellent and comes in more shades.

Why does cheap human hair tangle?

It is usually non Remy hair with mixed cuticles. Once the silicone coating washes off, the cuticles catch on each other.

What does double drawn mean?

Double drawn hair has been sorted twice so most strands are close to full length, giving thicker ends.

Can I tell Remy hair by looking at it?

Not always from photos. Running your fingers up the hair and checking the ends tells you much more.

Shop Quality Human Hair

Every product page in our store lists the hair type, so you always know what you are buying. Explore our human hair extensions, including Remy and raw hair pieces, with Cash on Delivery and free UAE delivery on orders over AED 200.